2026 Preakness Stakes picks: Best long-shot bets to win middle jewel of the Triple Crown

Nypost · May 16, 2026 · 411 words · By Michael Leboff

Preakness Stakes Analysis Horse Racing Betting

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Daily briefing

What to know about Preakness Stakes Analysis

The Preakness Stakes have taken a hit in recent years.

Claims checked 9

Techniques found 2

Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

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Right100%

1 source compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

The Preakness Stakes have taken a hit in recent years.

Why it matters

The past two Kentucky Derby winners, Golden Tempo and Sovereignty, have skipped the trip to Maryland, and only two horses from this year’s Run for the Roses (Ocelli and Incredibolt) are in the field for Saturday’s middle jewel.

Common ground

For casuals, it’s a bummer and will certainly crater the ratings.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Preakness Stakes Analysis story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that The past two Kentucky Derby winners, Golden Tempo and Sovereignty, have skipped the trip to Maryland?
How does this story connect Preakness Stakes Analysis with Horse Racing Betting over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/16/betting/2026-preakness-stakes-picks-best-long-shot…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence

Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.

Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 9 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 3

info Single Source 2

help Insufficient Evidence 1

cancel Disputed 1

verified Verified By Reference 1

verified Verified 1

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Claim 1: “The past two Kentucky Derby winners, Golden Tempo and Sovereignty, have skipped the trip to Maryland”

SINGLE SOURCE

Multiple web search results confirm that Golden Tempo (the 2026 Kentucky Derby winner) will not run in the Preakness. However, there is no evidence provided regarding a horse named 'Sovereignty' or the winner from the previous year to corroborate the 'past two winners' part of the claim.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 Kentucky Derby (branded as the 152nd Running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve for sponsorship reasons) was the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby. It took place on May 2, …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Kentucky_Derby

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Cherie DeVaux (born December 2, 1981) is an American thoroughbred racehorse trainer. In 2026, she won the Kentucky Derby as the trainer of Golden Tempo, becoming the first woman to train a Derby winne…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherie_DeVaux

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Golden Tempo (foaled February 7, 2023) is an American thoroughbred racehorse bred by Phipps Stable. In May 2026, Golden Tempo won the Grade I Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Tempo

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 2: “Michael Leboff... [has] 10 years of experience in the gambling industry”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found regarding Michael Leboff or his professional experience.

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Claim 3: “he was not competitive in the Fountain of Youth Stakes in February”

SINGLE SOURCE

The evidence provides general information about the Fountain of Youth Stakes, but does not contain the specific race results or performance data for Bull by the Horns in that event.

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web search NEUTRAL — The Fountain of Youth Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida in late February. A Grade II event open to three-year-olds willing to r…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_of_Youth_Stakes

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web search NEUTRAL — Aquarius "Speechless! Grabbing The Bull By The Horns!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn8-2K46HxM

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web search NEUTRAL — The Fountain of Youth offers a total of 105 qualifying points to the May 2 Kentucky Derby on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis to the top five finishers, and follows the Jan. 31 Holy Bull Stakes on Gulfstream’s p…
https://www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/2026-2026-fount…

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Claim 4: “only two horses from this year’s Run for the Roses (Ocelli and Incredibolt) are in the field for Saturday’s middle jewel”

DISPUTED

The claim states 'only two horses' (Ocelli and Incredibolt) from the Derby are in the Preakness field. However, a web search result explicitly states 'Incredibolt, Ocelli and Robusta are the only three horses in the field who also raced at the Kentucky Derby'.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby was a series of races through which horses qualified for the 2026 Kentucky Derby, which was held on May 2. The field for the Derby was limited to 20 horses, with up…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Road_to_the_Kentucky_Derb…

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web search NEUTRAL — The 151st Preakness Stakes will look different this year, with horses running at Laurel Park while Pimlico undergoes renovations. Here’s what to know.Incredibolt, Ocelli and Robusta are the only three…
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/triple-crown/preak…

+ 2 more evidence sources

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Claim 5: “Bull by the Horns rebounded with a come-from-behind victory at the Rushaway Stakes in March”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources (Paulick Report, web search) confirm Bull by the Horns won the Rushaway Stakes on March 21, with one source specifically describing him as a 'late runner' who 'rallied to win', confirming the come-from-behind nature of the victory.

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web search NEUTRAL — Peachtree Stable and Mark Corrado’s Bull by the Horns, an eye-catching winner of the March 21 Rushaway last time out, will work this weekend with designs on running in the 151st Preakness Stakes (G1) …
https://paulickreport.com/news/triple-crown/preakness-hopefu…

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web search NEUTRAL — This will be trainer Todd Fincher’s first career start in the Preakness. Bull by the Horns won the Rushaway Stakes on an all-weather track at Turfway Park in his most recent start March 21 for trainer…
https://www.americasbestracing.net/gambling/2026-ocelli-prim…

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web search NEUTRAL — Bull By the Horns wins the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coady Media).Bull by the Horns is a late runner who figures to relish the expected fast pace in the Preakness. Last time out, he r…
https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/news/study-guide-2026-p…

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Claim 6: “No. 5 Talkin (20-1)”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

While web search results mention 'Talkin' as a longshot bet for the Preakness, none of the provided evidence specifies his post position as No. 5 or his exact odds as 20-1.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 Preakness Stakes will be the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes, a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of 1+3⁄16 miles (9+1⁄2 furlongs; 1,911 meters). It is …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Preakness_Stakes

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 1995 Preakness Stakes was the 120th running of the Preakness Stakes thoroughbred horse race. The race took place on May 20, 1995, and was televised in the United States on the ABC television netwo…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_Preakness_Stakes

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 7: “No. 8 Bull by the Horns (30-1)”

VERIFIED

A CBS Sports profile explicitly lists '8 Bull by the Horns (30-1)'.

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web search NEUTRAL — 8 Bull by the Horns (30-1)Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.Last race: First in the Rushaway Stakes by ½ length
https://www.cbssports.com/betting/news/bull-by-the-horns-pro…

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web search NEUTRAL — 2026 Preakness Stakes: Date, time, odds, post positions for second jewel.The stage is set for the 2026 Preakness Stakes, where 14 of the most talented three-year-old thoroughbreds will vie for the mid…
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/horses/triple/preaknes…

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web search NEUTRAL — 30 видео. Жеребец Итем, сын Фрэнкела, cохранил беспроигрышный рекорд в скачках Dante Stakes. 12:18.
https://vk.com/video-130865370_456243650

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Claim 8: “The field of 14 is dominated by horses that want to be on, or near, the lead”

CORROBORATED

Web search results confirm the field size is 14 and that the race is 'overflowing with early speed' with the 'vast majority of the field' being horses that prefer to race on or near the lead.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2021 Preakness Stakes was the 146th Preakness Stakes, a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of 1+3⁄16 miles (1.9 km). The race is one leg of the American Triple Crow…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Preakness_Stakes

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Preakness Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held annually on the third Saturday in May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland (except in 2026 when it will move to Laurel Park du…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preakness_Stakes

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 9: “Irad Ortiz Jr. was slated to ride Silent Tactic on Saturday, but his withdrawal is Talkin’s gain”

CORROBORATED

Three independent web sources confirm that Irad Ortiz Jr. was scheduled to ride Silent Tactic but will now ride Talkin due to Silent Tactic's withdrawal/scratching.

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web search NEUTRAL — The 2026 Preakness Stakes field is set with Incredibolt added, while Silent Tactic misses another Triple Crown race due to injury.According to Horse Racing Nation, jockey Irad Ortiz was scheduled to r…
https://heavy.com/sports/horse-racing/incredibolt-joins-prea…

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web search NEUTRAL — Key PointsIrad Ortiz, Jr. will ride Talkin Saturday in the Preakness after Silent Tactic was scratched.Taj Mahal, trained by Brittany Russell, is a local favorite and unbeaten at Laurel Park.
https://paulickreport.com/news/triple-crown/preakness-update…

+ 1 more evidence source

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.